by C. A. Harms
Rushing out of the back door, I reached into the pocket of my jacket in search of my keys only to come up empty. The door to the building was closing behind me. I knew I was too late to go back in as it locked automatically when closing.
Hanging my head, I tried not to fall apart as I began walking toward my truck, unsure as to why, considering I couldn’t go anywhere without keys.
By the time I reached my truck, I felt even more defeated. Resting my forehead to the cool glass, I banged it gently, cursing my need to be in such a rush.
“I’m a mess,” I whispered.
I didn’t know how long I stood there feeling sorry for myself when the scent of cigarette smoke filled my nostrils. Opening my eyes, I looked down and found not one but four butts at my feet. One was still burning, as if whoever was smoking it hadn’t been gone long. Stepping on it with my foot, I looked around and saw the parking lot was empty, only my truck.
I relaxed once again on the door of my truck, and something red caught my eye. My keys, on the floorboard of my truck.
Realizing that I must have dropped them when I arrived this morning, I jerked on the handle and was pleased to find it came open with ease. Thankful that I was so irresponsible this morning, I hurry to get inside. I place my keys in the ignition. That’s when it hit me. An overpowering smell of cigarettes. Fresh smoke lingered in the cab, and my stomach dropped at the idea of someone being inside. Not just that, but recently, as my mind wandered back to the still-burning cigarette I stomped out seconds ago.
Again I looked around the area, seeing nothing. Hitting the lock button on my truck, I start the ignition and hurry to back out. Once I was a few feet away, I rolled down my windows, bearing the cold air with hopes that the smell would be sucked out.
Continuing to look in my rearview mirror, I was terrified that I was being followed or somehow allowing my mind to believe that someone was in the truck with me, though that was impossible. It was all so terrifying.
By the time I arrived at the station, I was an icebox from the drive over and shivered as I pulled down the visor and attempted to correct any makeup smudges I may have.
When I was satisfied with my appearance, I opened my truck door and this time ensured that I had my keys in hand. Hitting the lock on the key fob way more than necessary, I turned toward the station, and just as I reached the doors, I saw him. Standing behind a table filled with already made-up bags of treats for the kids, he leaned over and placed one into the hands of each kid that approached him.
He wore his uniform, even his hat, and long forgotten was the fear I felt on the way over. He looked hot; no, he looked more than hot.
Standing tall once more, he looked up, and that’s when our eyes locked on one another’s. He smiled, saying something to the guy at his side before moving around the table and sauntering in my direction.
I noticed the way he looked over me from head to toe before his gaze connected with mine once more. “A kitten?”
I bit my lip to hide my smile. “I figured it seemed fitting and a great choice for a costume.”
Stepping in closer, he gripped my hips and pulled my body closer. Our chests bumping, he took my mouth in a deep kiss that made my knees weak. “I think later you should wear this just for me.” Leaning back, he looked down at me once more. “No tights, though, just the skirt, nothing else under it, only the skirt.” He tugged on the tail behind me. “I think I want to make my kitten purr.”
Such a dirty man.
“Come on, let’s go meet everyone.” Quickly, he shifted from dirty to serious, and though I wanted to argue, I followed him without hesitation.
For the next few hours, we passed out candy, we laughed, and whenever Landon got the chance, he’d sneak a kiss. At first I felt a little embarrassed when I’d find one of the guys or even one of their wives noticing, but eventually I came to the realization that they were happy for him. They were happy for us. So instead of being embarrassed, I accepted his affection.
We were down to the last hour of the event, my feet were killing me, but I never complained. Landon excused himself to go help out one of the guys reload the table of pumpkins the kids got the chance to decorate, and I continued to pass out the bags to one child after another; the happy, thankful parents stood back as each one of them collected their goodies. It was all a blast. I was actually having more fun than I thought I would. A lot of our friends stopped by, and even my father and mother snuck in for a quick hello.
I was pleasantly surprised when my dad shook Landon’s hand. It was a tense moment, but it was a moment. He was getting there, learning to let go an inch at a time.
By the time Landon returned, we were down to the last stretch, and I yawned, leaning into him when he placed his arm around my shoulder. “Tired?”
“I’m good, just a long day at the office.”
He nodded as if he understood, and when he pressed a kiss to my forehead, I tried not to sigh. When he did that, it made me feel safe. It was a weird response to such an appealing man, but it was also a sweet gesture I adored from him.
“Is it bad that I want to give them all mini toothbrushes to use after they eat all this candy?” I said it quietly enough that only he could hear, and Landon laughed, and I turned to look up at him. He gave my lips a quick peck.
“No, babe, it’s cute.”
As we stared at one another, I was extremely thankful that the night was almost over and that he was actually off for the next forty-eight hours. Even if I had to work, I would get some alone time with him before and after.
“Now isn’t this adorable.” The sound of her voice made my skin crawl. “There are kids present, ya know?”
Holly was holding the hand of a small little boy who stood at her side. “I thought I would bring my little cousin in the firehouse to see all the real town heroes. He’s only visiting for a short time, and it’s the perfect family event.” He was dressed as Iron Man, so instead of focusing on her, I leaned over and directed my attention to him instead.
“Iron Man in one of my favorites.”
“He is my favorite.” A toothless grin from him made Holly’s presence almost tolerable. That was until she opened her mouth again.
“A kitten costume is a little trashy for a children’s event, don’t you think?”
Mind you, my costume was a long-sleeved black shirt, one that was snug but not super tight. A silver skirt, black tights, and the furry ears and tail matched my skirt. It was hardly sleazy or revealing.
When Landon attempted to defend me, I grabbed his forearm and tried to tame his irritation. She wasn’t worth it, and this was not the time or the place.
When she realized that we weren’t going to give her what she was hoping for, she rolled her eyes more at me than at Landon and moved on.
I had never been more thankful than when it was time to close the doors and call it a night.
Upon leaving, I agreed to follow Landon to his place. “You won’t need any clothes.” He pressed me back to my truck, and I could feel him hard against me.
“I will tomorrow for work.” His lips moved over mine, his hands wandering along my hips and finally gripping my ass. “I can’t go to work wearing my cat costume. What will people think?” I felt him smile within our kiss and could almost imagine the thought in his mind. “I’ll just leave a little early so I have time to swing by my place and change.”
“I think it’s probably a good idea that you leave an outfit or two at my place.” My heartbeat felt like it tripled as I tried not to squeal with delight. “So you’re always prepared.”
I nodded, feeling happier than I had all day. The more we become an us, the deeper our relationship grew, the harder it became not to tell him that what I felt was so much more than like. This man made me feel so many things, and I was elated with each one of them.
I was falling hard for Landon Layne, and nothing had ever fell more perfect.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Landon
“It’s after si
x,” Chloe moaned, completely destroying the stern tone she was shooting for. I kissed along her chest, pausing to nibble and suck before traveling lower. “Landon.” It was nothing more than a needy sigh. Reaching her belly button, I kissed over to her hip and then back toward the center.
Looking up, I found her watching me, and I knew part of her wanted to deny me, only she couldn’t.
Call me a selfish man, but frankly, I didn’t care. Whenever I had her near, I never wanted to let her go. This was one of those desperate times I couldn’t stop myself.
I traced over her pelvis bone with the tip of my tongue, and she parted her legs, and I took full advantage of her movements. She was turned on; there was no denying that. Her scent was intoxicating.
“Do you want me to stop?” I asked this just as I moved deeper and sucked on her clit.
Chloe shook her head, gripping the back of my head and holding me in place. It was my go ahead, all the permission I needed.
I loved the way she thrashed when I’d go down on her. The way her thighs would grip me tight and how she would fist my hair. It was a pain I welcomed.
I loved to watch her fall apart; it was a pleasure I took great pride in. I was a man, and I wanted to know I pleased my woman. Chloe made sure I knew that. It was intoxicating.
Moving up her body, it took no effort at all to find my place as my hard cock slid inside of her. Slowly, teasingly, I’d pause and pull back, going a little deeper each time.
She was right, it was after six, but I was a desperate man, and I needed her. “Call in sick.” She looked up at me, her vision hazed with a lustful look. “Spend the day here, in bed with me.” Sliding in deeper, I watched as her eyes rolled back, and her hips lifted, seeking more.
Again I withdrew, and she whimpered.
“One day.” She was a dedicated employee, and I knew this was a decision she didn’t take lightly. Chloe was loyal, and I should have felt like an ass for asking her to abandon her patients and the rest of the staff, only I didn’t. I needed her; I wanted her. They could wait. “I’m asking for one day, just you and me, hidden here.” I pushed inside of her all the way this time, and her back arched. “I think we should hide away and enjoy each other until the sun sets. I might even order takeout and eat in bed.”
Moving my hips a little faster, I felt her growing wetter and more turned on. I knew I had her, and again I should have felt guilty, but I didn’t.
“Call in.”
“Okay.” Knowing I had her all day, just like this, vulnerable, set me into a frenzy. I lifted one of her legs and pushed my hips forward, swiveling, gaining every ounce of depth I could. When she cried out and I felt her body hug me tight, I almost lost it. Chloe was it for me; she was the one I wanted to spend every day and night with, the one I wanted to laugh with, and if I had to feel pain, I wanted her to be the one I could lean on through it all.
I fucking loved her, and soon I would make sure she knew that, too.
***
“Is that you?” I looked back over my shoulder and found her pointing to an old picture of me hung on the wall. Being an only child, my mother was a bit obsessed with hanging my photos all over the place. She never took any down, just kept adding to the mass of photos. From birth up until the one from last week I gave her of Chloe and me at the fire station, she kept them all.
I moved in closer and tossed my arm over her shoulders, looking at the picture of me in a pair of suspenders. “I was about four here.”
“You were the makings of a firefighter even back then.” Chloe ran her fingertip along the edge of the picture, and I watched her close. I could honestly watch her for hours. The woman was fucking amazing, not just beautiful, but perfect in every way. “Suspenders and a little shirt that has a fireman on it. How sweet.”
I leaned in little closer, and sure enough, on the shirt was a cartoon fireman, holding a hose, pointing it at a building.
“Well, hello dear.” My mom broke the trance, and I pulled away just in time for her to move in and give Chloe a welcoming hug. Ever since the day they met at my place, my mother had not stopped asking me to bring her by. “It’s about time this boy brought you by to see me.”
Hand in hand, my mother dragged Chloe off toward the kitchen, and I followed like a lost puppy. Actually I was now invisible, the two of them talking as if I wasn’t even in the room.
“Get used to it, boy.” I felt my father slap my shoulder and give it a good squeeze. My dad was a tall man, and at one time he was built like a monster. With time and with age he had broken down a bit. Last year we found out he had heart disease after he suffered from his first ever heart attack. The news took a toll on him both physically and emotionally, and now the man before me barely resembled the one he once was. Yet he was still my father, still awry, still ready to toss some shit when necessary, and now was one of those times.
“Now that your momma has met your lady friend, she’ll be on your doorstep, inviting her over for dinner and tea. There won’t be very many alone times in your future now, if you know what I mean. I’d imagine you’ll be seeing a whole lot more of your momma now that she and Chloe are so tight.”
He was loving this, the chance to harass me.
“I’d imagine with Ma gone so much it’ll be less cooking for you. Less tending to your needs, which means you may have learn to wash your own underwear. Or wear dirty ones, who knows?”
Nudging me with his elbow, he hurried past me and offered my mother a kiss to the cheek. “Chloe, this is my husband, Russ.”
“Nice to meet you.” Chloe held out her hand, and my father looked down at it before ignoring it and leaning in to offer her a kiss, too. It was his way of showing he approved. Not to mention when he pulled back, he offered me a shuffle of his brows.
Yeah, he approved. But who wouldn’t? Chloe was the full package; inside and outside, she was beautiful.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chloe
“Damn it.” I stomped my feet like a child, spinning around in a circle before focusing on my tire once more. “Damn it, damn it, damn it.” I threw my hands up in the air as if that alone was going to fix all my problems and what in the hell it was that I did to deserve the long string of bad luck I was having. First, I stubbed my toe in the middle of the night getting out of bed to pee. Then I dropped my coffee mug, my favorite mug actually, and it shattered on my kitchen floor. Worse yet, it was full of hot coffee that splattered all over my bare leg in the process. Now I had a flat tire, a God damned flat tire.
Knowing already that Landon had to report to the station more than an hour ago, I knew I couldn’t call him. It was already twenty till eight, and I knew I was going to be late for work. After I’d allowed Landon to persuade me to call in sick, things already felt weird around the office. It was like everyone was watching me, like they knew or something. It was most likely all in my head, because it was something I’d never done before. Playing hooky for some nookie, I felt like a complete fraud.
Dialing my father’s number, I pressed the phone to my ear and waited for him to answer. When he was a little out of breath, I wondered if he was working and I’d interrupted his morning. “Hey, sweetheart.” Another deep intake of breath, yet there was no background noise.
“I have a flat.” This was one of the times I wished I’d listened when my dad attempted to teach me the basics in car maintenance. Oil changes, brake inspection, and tire changes, back then I would roll my eyes and think that was what he was for, or Triple A. Now I wished I’d learned. “I’m running late for work, but if you’re busy—”
“No.” I heard him shuffling around, and again I wondered what he could have been doing. “I’ll be right over. At your place, right?”
“Yeah.” Again with the shuffling just before I heard a squeal followed by a giggle. One I was familiar with. Then it dawned on me what I’d actually interrupted. “Oh.” My eyes widened in horror as I held the phone out, fighting my gag reflex. “Oh, no, eww Dad.” More laughter and then my mothe
r. “No, I’ll call Rhett or Uncle Reed.”
I gagged again.
“Oh stop it, I’m a man, too.”
“No.” I shook my head and stomped again and again. “Stop right there. You are not a man; you are my father. And that giggling fool at your side is my mother. Please understand when I say that I never want to ever know that the two of you are humans with needs. Keep those needs to yourself. I can’t look at you right now. You stay there. Do not come over here, ew, Dad. No, ew.” I ended the call to the sound of him chuckling and immediately dialed Uncle Reed.
He found it humorous when I said that my parents were indisposed at the moment and my father wasn’t allowed to come over and help me. I meant it when I said right now I could not look at him.
Thirty minutes late, I strolled through the front doors of the dentist’s office, still shivering at the idea of my parents and their morning activities. I just couldn’t, nope not today, not ever.
***
“Okay, Mr. Haynes, I think that should do it.” I offered the man a cup of water so he could spit one last time. “Everything is looking good.” I covered the tray of tools and pushed them to the side before unclipping his bib. “You can schedule your next cleaning with the ladies up front.”
“Thank you, dear.” He gave me a nod before leaving the room and walking toward the front of the office.
My day had felt off, ever since I found the same brand of cigarettes just outside my apartment door that were lying outside my truck the night of the Halloween event at the station. I was constantly looking over my shoulder, jumpy at the smallest of sounds, and my stomach felt as though it had been tied into the tightest of knots.
“For a girl shacking up with a man like Landon, you sure don’t look happy.” Spinning around too quickly, I knocked over the tray of tools, and they crashed to the floor. “Trouble in paradise already?” Holly stood in the doorway with a smug look on her face. “I can definitely take him off your hands if you’d like me to.”
